“Kind of flattering, if he chooses you”
Um, what? That’s from a conversation between Stacy (Samantha Carroll) and friend Lana (Sally Sum) about the bold serial killer on the loose in Young Blondes, Stalked and Murdered who chooses up and coming blonde actresses in the Los Angeles area and should pretty much sum up why the film from writer/director Nick Funess is absolutely not what you’d thought it’d be. Making it perfect for Salem Horror Fest.
A fascinating character study on loneliness and isolationism amidst a backdrop of grisly murder, Funess’ Young Blondes, Stalked and Murdered is not at all what you’d expect from its’ synopsis but definitely something you’d expect to screen at Salem Horror Fest because of that fact. After a brief opening piece that’s almost the antithesis of those flashy Scream ones yet just as frightening, we’re off to the races with a focus primarily on Carroll’s Stacy who’s a struggling actress that’s driven, not afraid to be vulnerable, but also a creature of habit… which is not something one must be when a killer is on the loose!
Carroll is a revelation as Stacy with this spectacularly subdued performance bringing just the right kind of odd that gets progressively weirder (Borderline unhinged even) as the film progresses. From daily tasks like cutting up grapefruit, doing arts and crafts (Bejeweled lighters!), rehearsing lines, or eating alone in front of a TV following what seems like a regular take-out delivery most nights to escalating almost WTF moments later on (When asked to check in on a friend, she enters the apartment that’s unlocked, tries on a dress, and reads through her absent friend’s diary).
Sure she has friends like the aforementioned Lana as well as the slightly more successful Josie (Elle Chapman), who even hands off a small role she can’t do to Stacy, but it’s pretty apparent that the Midwesterner with parents who regularly send flowers and leave messages checking in is alone. At one point while taking notes we pointed out that, following an outing to the movies by herself (Nothing wrong with that!), we find Stacy outside the theater talking (Or being mansplained) to someone who’s a friend she bumped into maybe? Someone familiar, right, with the way they’re interacting? Oh no, it’s the projectionist who’s just outside for a smoke. But in Stacy’s mind, as recited to herself later that night before bed, she made a new friend today! So yeah, pretty alone. Alone enough to be the latest victim of the person stalking L.A., though???
Furthering the insular feel throughout is Director Of Photography Corentin Leroux’s impressive shots as directed by Funess. There’s these classic Horror Movie shots during the opening segment then later more creative choices especially during a particularly awkward audition scene (For the role that Josie “handed” to Stacy) and then throughout with wide shots of darkness or windows behind main characters that’ll have viewers searching the shadows and scenes in general for any menace that might be hiding slightly off screen. Also, with Young Blondes…, it’s almost the lack of sound and score (By Sergei Kofman, who definitely makes an impact when needed, and Nick Ause who did Sound Design) at times that enhances it all. Let us tell you, watching this in movie theater is a breeze compared to alone in a small office on a laptop with headphones as it puts you practically in the same room as potential targets (But definitely get out to the theater if you can). In fact, during a moment of intentional quiet we may or may not have jumped when Stacy loudly turned a page in a book she was reading in bed in front of a very large window with no shades drawn (Who does this???).
Young Blondes, Stalked and Murdered from SILIENCE debuts as part of the “Official Selection” series during this year’s Salem Horror Fest on April 27th at Die With Your Boots On. For info on the screening and the rest of the “Official Selection” series, head here and for more from Salem Horror Fest, including info on all the screenings and events happening this year, be sure to follow the socials by heading here, here, and here.